Chapter 435

Her voice, seemingly pitiful, increasingly carried a tone of lazy amusement.

Winnie stared at Ishara's face, which finally revealed a hint of vulnerability, growing pale with a touch of nausea.

Faced with Lawrence's rage, Winnie tugged at her mouth, saying, "Sorry, Mr. Rodriguez! I know I spoke out of turn again. I won't wear a red dress anymore, or maybe my sister can tell me in advance what she's wearing each day. That way, I'll avoid any clashes with her and keep her happy."

Her last words were directed at everyone present. Immediately, the debutantes who had been surrounding Ishara changed their expressions slightly.

Some young masters and ladies also murmured their discontent.

"That's too much, isn't it? She's the only one who can wear a red dress? Winnie looks better in it, so she instigates Lawrence to force others to change clothes?"

"I didn't realize the young lady was so petty. She's frail and innocent, isn't her reputation good?"

"But Ms. Winnie's dress is torn; she must have been forced to change by Lawrence. What do men know about dress clashing? It must have been the young lady who whispered something."

Suddenly, everyone was minding their own business.

Some remarked sarcastically, "I thought Lawrence was decent, but it turns out he's just a love-struck tyrant, forcing a woman to change her clothes."

"Ah, better stay away from this 'golden couple' in the future to avoid ending up like Ms. Winnie, caught in the crossfire."

"Winnie, what nonsense are you spouting!" Lawrence's expression darkened, hearing these people criticize him and Ishara. The man's eyes blazed with fury.

Winnie stuck out her tongue and turned to leave.

Ishara, who had always carried a pitiable image, found herself most embarrassed. Now, the debutantes around her began to doubt her, suspecting her jealousy toward Winnie. They even labeled her as petty and started pointing fingers.

She twisted her handkerchief anxiously, quickly gathering her thoughts. The most important thing now was to make Mr. Rodriguez believe her. "Lawrence, why would Winnie say that about me? I didn't stop her from wearing a red dress, I didn't..."

The girl covered her chest, gasping and nearly falling over in tears.

Lawrence was in a foul mood, glancing coldly at Winnie, who had the audacity to walk away with her sharp tongue. He scooped up Ishara to prevent her from fainting, frowning, "It's not your fault, I asked her to change. Calm down, so you don't feel uncomfortable again."

"I really want to get along with Winnie. I won't live long, and she'll be the family's support. She doesn't have to see me as a threat... Maybe it's still something I did wrong that made her unhappy." Ishara forced a self-deprecating smile.

When she mentioned her terminal illness, Lawrence looked at her with pity even in his anger. He reassured her, saying, "You did nothing wrong. Ignore that kind of woman."

Ishara sneaked a glance at Winnie from the corner of her eye, purposefully leaning into the man's chest with her gaze averted, simmering with anger. Her plan was to sit back and let Lawrence pressure Winnie into changing her dress, thereby naturally making her appear foolish and isolated amidst the esteemed guests at the banquet.

She didn't expect Winnie to drag her down with her. That wench, she was not simple.

Lawrence had a doctor take Ishara to the restroom.

Ishara found an opportunity and immediately texted Eleanor: "Mother, have you taken care of things on your end? Take action!"

Thinking of how Winnie had ridiculed her in public, Ishara was furious and determined to ruin Winnie at tonight's banquet.

Watching Lawrence so anxiously carry away the "weak" Ishara, as if afraid she'd get hurt, a cold darkness flickered in Winnie's eyes.

Angela, as if just recovering from her recent actions, pointed at her and cursed, "Do you think you've won by defying Mr. Rodriguez and mocking Ishara? Didn't you see? Mr. Rodriguez cherishes Ishara so much. Even if it offends these nobles, he will still spoil her. You can't envy that kind of love!"

Winnie felt a sharp pang in her heart. She looked at her coldly and scoffed, "You can't envy it either, Angela. I've taught you to be smart. It seems that some wood can't be carved though."

"You... don't you try to drive a wedge between me and Ishara. She's kind, and we've been close since childhood!"

"Yes, she's kind which just makes you look even nastier, doesn't it?" Winnie laughed meaningfully, too lazy to deal with her, and walked away.

Angela was slightly stunned...

The mansion's butler came by, announcing that dinner was about to begin.

The dinner was in another building's dining room.

Winnie didn't know the way, and no servant was flattering her, the "illegitimate daughter." Carlos seemed to have been mingling since earlier, and Winnie couldn't find him.

Just as she was wondering how to get to the dining room, a frivolous man suddenly approached. "Ms. Winnie, hello! I'm Sean, the second son of the Rodriguez family. Let me show you the way."

His tone carried a playful edge, his well-defined brows arched in a handsome manner, imparting a sense of capriciousness. His gaze wandered a bit too freely over her attire. He appeared to be a more frivolous son of the Rodriguez family compared to Alan, but at least Alan lacked malice.

Winnie stepped aside cautiously, nodding with a polite smile. "Thank you, young master."

Silently, they walked for three minutes to the dining room.

The elegant dining table was adorned simply, featuring two candlesticks placed at each end.

By now, over ten people were seated, and as Winnie looked up, she met Lawrence's icy gaze.

She wasn't sure if his cold gaze was directed at her or at Sean beside her. Winnie ignored him and sat down.

But as everyone gathered, she realized she might have sat at the wrong table; she didn't see her father, Carlos.

No doubt this was the Rodriguez family's table. Winnie, puzzled, looked questioningly at Sean beside her.

Sean winked mischievously at her, self-assuredly saying, "Since I brought you here, naturally it's the Rodriguez family's table. Your father and the others are dining outside, not far from here."

Winnie was speechless. It would be too awkward to get up now, so she stayed seated.

At the head of the table, Bob only glanced her way briefly, then indifferently looked away, not bothering with such trivial matters.

Lawrence sat beside his father, his tall stature elegant, his imposing presence deep as he smoked.

After the dishes were served, he put out his cigarette. It was then that he noticed that Ishara hadn't come.

Winnie turned her attention away, observing the other Rodriguez family members.

The lady sitting to the left of Bob must be Mrs. Hellen Rodriguez. Next to Hellen was a middle-aged man Winnie didn't recognize.

Next to them sat Mars, a familiar face. Winnie paused, and Mars sent her a mischievous smile.

Lawrence's expression darkened at their interaction.

Winnie felt it; Lawrence and Mars were probably mortal enemies now, the eldest son and the adopted son.

Her gaze lingered, and suddenly she felt that Mars and the middle-aged man beside him... had an unspoken resemblance.

Winnie glanced again at Hellen, strangely these three sitting together gave off a harmonious vibe like a family.

But Mars was supposed to be the bloodless adopted son of the Rodriguez family. He and Hellen surely had no blood relation.

She shook her head, dismissing the odd thought.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Hellen suddenly looked up-

Mrs. Rodriguez was sharp, but after that flash of intensity, she hid it well and smiled amiably at her. "You must be Winnie from the Blanchet family, right? So beautiful... Sean, did you bring her?"

Hellen deliberately diverted Winnie's attention from her side.